Outdoor Recreation Facilitator
Tessa Shanteler, Outdoor Recreation Facilitator – Gear Library Coordinator
Tessa Shanteler, ORF Gear Library Coordinator, brings a deep love for outdoor adventure and education. She graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Ecology and Environmental Science in 2022, and has happily found herself in the nonprofit and farming world for the last few years. Tessa is excited about her new role with Skowhegan Outdoors and hopes to find a place in this community. Leadership, Community Care, Collaboration and Friendliness are her bread and butter. Tessa is passionate about connecting people with nature, helping to foster confidence, curiosity, and stewardship through outdoor experiences. Come say hi at our Gear Library, she can Coordinate all your gear rental needs!
Outdoor Recreation Facilitator
Madeline Linhart is happy to be a part of the new Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps crew! She’s moved around a lot the last few years, but her most recent home has been New Hampshire. She just finished a half term AmeriCorps program with the Lakes Region Conservation Corps of New Hampshire and is looking forward to a new adventure in Maine. Her favorite outdoor activities include hiking, camping, kayaking, fly fishing, and hunting.
Outdoor Recreation Facilitator
Brian is proud to be a first-generation college graduate from the University of Maine at Farmington. Born in Arizona, he moved to Maine in high school, drawn by its access to nature and recreational opportunities. Outdoor recreation keeps him grounded and motivated, making Maine feel like home. Passionate about his degree in Environmental Policy and Planning, he looks forward to advocating for the environment. In addition to his commitment to Land Stewardship and Conservation, he is looking forward to being an AmeriCorps Member with Skowhegan Outdoors this year.
Outdoor Recreation Facilitator
Matt Kay is a Skowhegan, Maine native. He went to the University of Maine and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology & Physical Education with a minor in Outdoor Education. The last 5 years he has worked as a Personal Trainer and just created his own personal training company. His favorite outdoor activities include skiing (downhill & x-c), hiking, mountain biking, trail running, water sports (kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding), and walking his dogs.
Skowhegan Shines Bright This Holiday Season with #ShopSmall Week and SKOW-Whoville Festivities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kristina M. Cannon, President & CEO
Main Street Skowhegan
Phone: 207-614-4078
Email: kristina@mainstreetskowhegan.org
Skowhegan Shines Bright This Holiday Season with #ShopSmall Week and SKOW-Whoville Festivities
SKOWHEGAN, Maine – This holiday season, Skowhegan is the place to be for festive fun and local shopping! Main Street Skowhegan invites residents and visitors alike to take part in the ongoing #ShopSmall Skowhegan Week, happening now through Saturday, December 7. This weeklong celebration of small businesses features special promotions, giveaways, and holiday cheer across Skowhegan. Sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank, The Bankery & Skowhegan Fleuriste, and the Hight Family of Dealerships, the initiative encourages everyone to shop local and support Skowhegan’s vibrant community of entrepreneurs.
As the excitement of #ShopSmall Skowhegan Week wraps up, the festivities continue with the highly anticipated SKOW-Whoville event, set for Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7.
“Skowhegan is bursting with holiday spirit, and we’re thrilled to bring our community together through these festive events,” said Kristina Cannon, President and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan. “By shopping small and celebrating big, we’re not only spreading holiday cheer but also supporting the local businesses that make Skowhegan special.”
Sponsored by Maine Roof Solutions, this Whoville-inspired holiday extravaganza will transform Skowhegan into a magical winter wonderland, with activities for all ages:
Friday, December 6
- SKOW-Whoville Parade: The festivities begin with the Grinch, Martha Mae, and Mr. & Mrs. Claus leading a spectacular parade at 6:30 PM on Water Street. Enjoy dazzling floats and holiday cheer.
Saturday, December 7
- Santa’s Breakfast: Delight in a festive breakfast from 8–10 AM at Tewksbury Hall, with affordable pricing for kids and adults.
- Craft Fairs: Find unique holiday gifts at multiple craft fairs across town starting at 9 AM.
- SKOW-WhoVillage Activities: From 10 AM–1 PM, enjoy free family fun, including a petting zoo, Grinch games and treats, crafts, ornament making, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Look for appearances by the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, and Max the Dog.
- SKOW-WhoCrawl: Wrap up the evening from 7–9 PM with a Grinch-themed pub crawl featuring specialty drinks, an ugly sweater contest, and prizes.
Spotlight Cinemas at The Strand will also be showing free holiday movies all weekend long.
For a detailed schedule of events and updates, visit the #ShopSmall Skowhegan Week page at mainstreetskowhegan.org/small-business-saturday and the SKOW-Whoville page at skow-whoville.org/schedule/.
Mark your calendars, bring your family and friends, and join us in Skowhegan for a holiday season to remember!
About Main Street Skowhegan
Main Street Skowhegan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on the ongoing revitalization of historic Skowhegan, Maine. Our mission is to celebrate Skowhegan’s rich heritage while achieving our brightest future as a thriving economic, cultural, and recreational community where residents enjoy a high quality of life.
For media inquiries or more information about holiday events in Skowhegan, please contact Kristina M. Cannon at kristina@mainstreetskowhegan.org.
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Marketing & Events Manager
As Marketing & Events Manager, Mollie manages marketing and oversees the various events organized by Main Street Skowhegan throughout the year.
Mollie grew up in Pittsfield, Maine, where she developed a love for outdoor recreation, the arts, and her local community. She moved to Connecticut to attend the University of Hartford’s Hartt School, and upon graduating, relocated to New York City to pursue a career in dance. Mollie has worked as a museum tour guide, sales associate, sales manager, and professional dancer. She was also part of Lululemon’s pilot “experiential division” program, where she had the opportunity to assist, oversee, manage, and create a variety of events for multiple clients.
Mollie is thrilled to be back in her home state of Maine and excited to join the wonderful team at Main Street Skowhegan!
Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival draws attendees from all over the U.S. & Canada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival draws attendees from all over the U.S. & Canada
SKOWHEGAN, MAINE—On Saturday, August 31, attendees from Maine, Canada and 13 other states will gather in Skowhegan for the annual Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival. Advance ticket purchases have been made by people from as far away as Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
“We’re thrilled to draw people from near and far to Skowhegan for our annual brew festival,” said Kristina Cannon, President & CEO of Main Street Skowhegan. “Not only do events showcase our growing community and all that we have to offer visitors, but they also bring people to town who spend money at our locally owned businesses. Brew fest, in particular, brings people back again and again to our community.”
The Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival has been driving visitation to the central Maine region on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend for seven years as one of the only festivals in the state to feature exclusively Maine craft beer, wine, cider, and spirits. The event will take place along the Kennebec River in downtown Skowhegan with 24 brewers, several local food vendors, and four musical acts celebrating Maine’s craft brew scene.
A sold-out VIP hour at 2 p.m. featuring free local food samples and specialty brews not available during the general session. The general session will include nearly 100 different Maine-crafted libations for sampling, while merchants will offer a variety of festival fare from wood-fired pizza featuring all local ingredients to Caribbean comfort food and barbecue.
Live music from solo acts Thomas LeClerk and Shane McNear will entertain during VIP hour. Six Wayz to Sunday and Cryin’ Out Loud will play from 3 to 7 p.m. on opposite ends of the festival.
The Skowhegan Craft Brew Festival is coordinated by nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan, and all proceeds benefit ongoing revitalization efforts in Skowhegan.
Leading sponsors who make the event possible include Skowhegan Savings Bank, the Old Mill Pub, Animal Medical Clinic, Butler’s Car Wash, Damon’s Beverage Mart, DuBois Construction, Franklin Savings Bank, Hight Family of Dealerships, Key Appliance, Short Circuit Electric, 201 Service, Maine Roof Solutions, and Redington-Fairview General Hospital.
There are limited General Admission tickets on sale now at skowhegancraftbrewfest.com. Festival organizers are encouraging people interested in attending to get their tickets online before sales close on Friday, August 30 at 6 p.m. If any tickets are still available on the day of the event, prices will increase by $5.
For more information, please contact Main Street Skowhegan Executive Director, Kristina Cannon at kristina@mainstreetskowhegan.org or 207-614-4078.
Main Street Skowhegan Seeks Community Input to Bolster Food and Beverage Hub Initiatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2024
Skowhegan, Maine—Main Street Skowhegan is seeking responses to a series of surveys aimed at shaping the development of initiatives pivotal to the region’s economic growth as an agricultural food hub.
The surveys, open to all area residents, businesses, organizations, and stakeholders, focus on three key areas: the utilization of surplus farm products, enhancing workforce training within the food industry, and the establishment of an incubator kitchen—The Kitchen at 185—in downtown Skowhegan.
“We’re on a mission to invigorate Skowhegan’s food and agricultural ecosystem, and community input is absolutely essential to this endeavor,” said Kristina Cannon, President and CEO of Main Street Skowhegan. “The insights gathered through these surveys will not only shape the direction of our initiatives but also ensure that they resonate with and effectively serve our region.”
Main Street Skowhegan was recently named one of 22 finalists in the nation for a $50 million Distressed Community Recompete Pilot Program Phase 2 Implementation grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Input from these surveys will be incorporated into the final grant application, due in April, which can provide full funding for these projects.
The Surplus Farm Products survey aims to assess the perspectives of local farmers and producers who may have surplus agricultural products that remain unharvested or unsold. Main Street Skowhegan seeks insights from these key stakeholders regarding strategies to utilize surplus produce, dairy, and other agricultural goods.
The Workforce Training survey is dedicated to understanding the demand for workforce training within the food industry. Whether it’s culinary skills development, food safety certification, or business management training, Main Street Skowhegan is eager to tailor its programming to meet the needs of local residents and businesses alike.
Finally, the Incubator Kitchen survey focuses on gauging interest and gathering feedback on The Kitchen at 185, a shared-use commercial kitchen incubator. Designed to support entrepreneurs, aspiring chefs, and food artisans, The Kitchen at 185 will provide affordable access to state-of-the-art facilities, fostering innovation and collaboration within the region’s culinary community.
“We envision The Kitchen at 185 as a catalyst for culinary creativity, entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of our local food economy for all. We want to ensure that it reflects the needs and aspirations of our community,” said Patric Moore, Director of Entrepreneurship at Main Street Skowhegan.
All potential stakeholders are encouraged to participate and share their valuable insights by completing the surveys at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SkowTown
About Main Street Skowhegan
Main Street Skowhegan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on the ongoing revitalization of historic Skowhegan, Maine. Founded in 2005 by a group of citizens, Main Street is now driven by three full-time staff members, a passionate and engaged board of directors, and more than a hundred volunteers. Our mission is to celebrate Skowhegan’s rich heritage while achieving our brightest future as a thriving economic, cultural, and recreational community where residents enjoy a high quality of life.
